Sweetener Use in Fruit Juices to Be Completely Banned
· Google Haberler
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has prepared a draft communiqué that completely bans the use of sweeteners in fruit juices and redefines fruit nectar standards.
Ban on Sweeteners in Fruit Juice
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has prepared a comprehensive draft communiqué that completely renews the production standards for fruit juice and nectar. Within the scope of the new regulation shaped to comply with European Union legislation, the use of sweeteners in fruit juices is completely banned. Once the draft, opened for the opinion of sector representatives, comes into effect; a zero-sweetener rule will be applied uncompromisingly in all fruit juice products in concentrated, liquid, puree, and powder forms.
New Flexibilities in Fruit Nectars
Despite the strict ban imposed on fruit juices, certain flexibilities are provided to producers on a formula basis in the production processes of fruit nectars. According to the new regulation, the use of sweeteners instead of sugar will be permitted within the limits of legislation in fruit nectars that do not contain added sugar. In the low-energy nectar category, the substitution of a certain portion of the natural sugar in the product formula with sweeteners will be enabled.
New Standards for Reduced Sugar
Important rules have also been set for a new generation of products with reduced natural sugar in the communiqué draft, which places consumer health at its center. According to the data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, fruit juices whose natural sugar content has been reduced by at least 30% through special physical and chemical processes will be officially approved for sale. The draft, which will also renew labeling standards, will be finalized after feedback from the sector and food engineers.